Container end structure



y 19, 1970 J. c. DAWSON ETAL H 3,512,675

CONTAINER END STRUCTURE Fild Aug. 7. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ 30 m 730 INVENTORS JOSEPH CA L D wsou JAY B. kovu E EL. Cbg voa BY WM 9gp:

AT RNEY y 19, 1970 I J. c. DAWSON ETAL 3,512,676

CONTAINER END STRUCTURE Filed Aug. '7. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOSEPH CARL DAWSON JAY B. BROWN W IGZ I ATT RNEY United States Patent Oihce 3,512,676 Patented May 19, 1970 Int. Cl. B6511 7/42 US. Cl. 220-67 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispensing device for use with canisters and including a plastic bung threaded into a bunghole in the canister. The bung is provided with a threaded bore having a fracturable diaphragm extending across the lower margins thereof. A plug is fitted into the bore to rigidify the bung and protect the diaphragm. When the contents are to be withdrawn from the canister, the plug is removed and replaced by an adapter having a canted internal bore. A quick-connect coupling is carried by the adapter for retentively engaging a standpipe assembly having a collector tu'be provided with knife edges at its end for fracturing the diaphragm when the collector tube is inserted through the adapter. The standpipe assemby also includes a feed tube which opens in to the upper portion of the canister so that a pressurized gas can be introduced into the canister to force liquid out through the collector tube. A canister having end walls each including an inwardly curved portion which integrally merges into an annular inner wall section along a circular crease. The crease and inner wall section are presented against the side wall of the canister. The inner wall section merges into an outer wall section which, in turn, merges into a locking lip which engages and interlocks with an end lip on the side wall of the canister. The top wall of the canister is buttressed with a reinforcing plate which along with the concave portion embraces a collar forming a bunghole.

This invention relates to dispensing devices and containers and, more particularly, to a dispensing device for removing fluent contents contained within a canister which is adapted to withstand internal pressures of substantial magnitudes.

Canisters are used extensively to contain liquid and semi-liquid substances and are generally employed because they are relatively easy to handle, store, and transport. Some canisters are provided with spigots so that they can be easily tapped. While this is a desirable convenience, the inclusion of the spigot as part of the canister is expensive, adds weight to the unit, and eliminates the possibility of the canister being used on an expendable basis. Canisters with mere bungholes can at times be used on an expendable basis, but such canisters are often diflicult to tap and the lack of any suitable tapping arrangement may contribute to loss of fluid through spillage and evapo ration.

Moreover, the end walls of conventional canisters are generally flat and are connected to the side walls along roller and overlapped seams. When such canisters are subjected to internal pressures of substantial magnitude, these end walls tend to bow outwardly into a convex configuration and in so doing weaken the seams by either partially or fully unrolling the overlapped portions thereof. This causes a loss in pressure at the seams. The relatively high degree of flexing caused by alternate inflation and deflation of such canisters causes seal failure at the seams and in more severe cases induces metal fatigue and resultant cracks along those seams. The collars forming bungholes of canisters are generally held in the end walls merely by rolling the metal of the end wall over and around a laterally projecting flange on the collar. When such a canister is subjected to elevated internal pressures the collar and bung are forced outwardly causing the metal to unroll at this point. This results in seal failure and consequent loss of pressure within the canister.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a liquid dispensing device which permits use of canisters on an expendable or disposable basis; the provision of a liquid dispensing device which seals canisters for storage and transportation purposes and includes means for tapping the canister at the point of use with a minimum amount of inconvenience and spillage; the provision of a canister having end walls which will not distort and the seams of which will not leak when the canister is subjected to internal pressures of substantial magnitude; and the provision of a dispensing device and of a canister, which are rugged in construction, light in weight, and easy to manufacture. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a dispensing device of the present invention installed in a canister, the canister being shown insection;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a bung forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the standpipe being inserted through the adapter;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the standpipe retentively engaged by the adapter;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a canister forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the canister; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 designates a dispensing device for use on a conventional canister 4 having a cylindrical side wall 6 which is sealed at its ends by inwardly curved top and bottom walls 8, 10. Top wall 8 is centrally provided with a collar 12 which is internally threaded in the formation of a threaded aperture or bunghole 14.

Threaded into bunghole 14 and forming part of dispensing device 2 is bung 16 preferably molded from plastic and including an externally threaded annular side wall 18 which is integrally provided with an outwardly projecting flange 20 adapted to overlie collar 12. Side wall 18 merges into an inwardly extending web 22 which merges into a central sleeve-like portion 24 having inwardly presented threads defining an upwardly opening threaded bore 26. Formed integral with and extending across the lower end of sleeve-like portion 24 is a diaphragm 30 which is separated from sleeve-like portion 24 by a circular line of weakness 32. Threaded into bore 26 is a plug 34 also preferably molded from plastic and including an outwardly projecting flange 36 which bears against the upper surface of web 22. Plug 34 not only rigidifies bung 16, but also protects relatively weak diaphragm 30 during shipment and storage of canister 4. Plug 34 is provided with an upwardly opening slot (not shown) so that it can be easily unscrewed and removed from bung 16.

Provided separately for the purpose of withdrawing the contents from canister 4 is a tap 40 including an adapter 42 which attaches to bung 16. Adapter 42 includes a base 44 provided with a shoulder 46 and having a diametrally reduced threaded end portion or boss 48 projecting therefrom. End portion 48 is sized for engagement with the threads of bore 26 in bung 16, and carries an elastomeric washer 50. When end portion 48 is threaded into bore 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3, washer 50 will be interposed between shoulder 46 and web 22 to form a fluid-tight seal. Base 44 is internally provided with a slightly canted bore 52 which opens upwardly into a cylindrical recess 54 located concentric thereto. Rigidly affixed to base 44 is a pedestal 56 having an axially pro jecting cylindrical boss 58 which fits snugly within recess 54. Pedestal 56 is centrally provided with an axial bore 60 which registers with and forms a continuation of canted bore 52 in base 44. Opening into bore 60 are annular grooves 62 having elastomeric O-ring seals 64 fitted therein. At its upper end pedestal 56 is provided with a diametrally reduced threaded nose portion 66 which fits into and engages the threads of a conventional quickconnect coupling 70.

Since coupling 70 is conventional, it is suflicient to note that it includes a barrel 72 which is internally threaded at one end for reception of nose portion 66 on pedestal 56 (FIG. 3). Internally barrel 72 is provided with a diametrally reduced bore 74 which downwardly terminates at a shoulder 76 located in spaced relation from the end of nose portion 66 on pedestal 56. Fitted into this space is an elastomeric washer 77. Barrel 72 is further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slightly canted lateral bores 78 having cylindrical locking elements 80 slidably fitted therein. Slidably mounted on the upper end of barrel 72 for axial movement is an actuating sleeve 82 having a trepanned groove 84 which receives the extreme upper end of barrel 72 located beyond bores 78. Sleeve 82 is further provided with an inclined ca'mming surface 86 which engages the outwardly presented ends of locking elements 80 when sleeve 82 is moved upwardly so as to urge locking elements 80 toward the interior of barrel 72. Interposed between the base of trepanned groove 84 and the upper end of barrel 72 is a spring 88 which biases actuating sleeve 82 upwardly on barrel 72. The portion of sleeve 82 which extends into the interior of barrel 72 forms an outwardly opening sleeve bore 90, and at its extreme inner end this portion engages the opposite or inner ends of locking elements 80 so as to force them outwardly when sleeve 82 is moved downwardly.

Adapter 42 receives and retentively engages a standpipe assembly 100 which also forms a part of tap 40. Standpipe assembly 100 includes a T-fitting 102 having opposed bushings 104, 106, threaded into the two axially aligned branches thereof. Bushings 104, 106, are provided with outwardly extending threaded nipples 108, 110, respectively, which form inlet and outlet ports. The remaining or intermediate branch of T-fitting 102 is fitted with a tubular mating coupler element 112 adapted for insertion in and engagement by quick-connect coupling 70 (FIG. 4).

Mating coupler element 112 integrally includes a threaded end portion 114, an enlarged hexagonal portion 116, a cylindrical stern 118, and a diametrally reduced nose 120. Stern 118 outwardly terminates at a beveled shoulder 122 and slightly inwardly therefrom is provided with an annular groove 124, defined on its sides by outwardly beveled faces. Stem 118 is sized for slidable insertion into sleeve bore 90, while groove 84 is positioned thereon for registration with and reception of locking elements 80 to prevent outward withdrawal of coupler element 112 when actuating sleeve 82 is in its upper position. When stern 118 is so engaged by locking elements 80, nose 120 will project through diametrally reduced bore 74 in barrel 72 and will bear against the upper face of washer 77, forcing it against the end of nose portion 66 of pedestal 56 to form a fluid-tight seal between coupler element 112 and adapter 42.

Fitted securely within stern 118 of coupler element 112 and projecting axially beyond nose 120 is a collector tube 126 which slidably fits through the aligned bores 52, 60, in adapter 42. Collector tube 126 is of sufficient length to extend to the bottom of canister 4 When standpipe assembly 100 is retentively engaged by quick-connect coupling 70. The cant of bores 52, 60, is such that collector tube 126 when fully inserted terminates in close proximity to the corner juncture formed by the intersection of side wall 6 and bottom wall 10 of canister 4. At its extreme lower end collector tube 126 is provided with crossed cutting blades 128 having forwardly presented knife edges 130 which converge to form a point at their juncture. Extending from nipple 108 through T-fitting 102, coupler element 112, and the upper portion of collector tube 126 is a feed tube 132, the lower end of which opens outwardly through the wall of collector tube 126 in close proximity to top wall 8 of canister 4. The juncture formed by the intersection of feed tube 132 and collector tube 126 is sealed by solder or other suitable sealing means so that it is fluid-tight. The opposite or upper end of feed tube 132 is connected to nipple 108 so as to receive the entire flow of fluid entering nipple 108.

In use, canister 4 is filled with a desired fluid, such as a fumigant, by pouring or otherwise inserting it through bunghole 14. When canister 4 is sufliciently filled, bung 16 with plug 34 fitted into it is threaded into bunghole 14 so as to seal the canister and prevent evaporation or spilling of the material contained therein. In this condition canister 4 can be stored or shipped to the user.

The user can withdraw the contents of the canister merely by removing plug 34 from bung 16 and replacing it with adapter 42. Thereafter the user inserts collector tube 126 through aligned bores 90, 60, 52, of adapter 42. When blades 128 encounter diaphragm 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3, knife edges 130 will cut through diaphragm 30 or cause it to break away from sleeve-like portion 24 along line of weakness 32, allowing tube 126 to pass freely into the interior of canister 4. As collector tube 126 is passed through adapter 42 O-ring seals 64 will embrace the surface thereof and prevent loss of the fluid. Eventually stern 118 on mating coupler element 112 will fit into sleeve bore 90 of actuating sleeve 82, at which time beveled shoulder 122 will engage the inwardly presented end faces of locking elements 80 and force locking elements 80 outwardly through their bores 78. Locking elements 80 will cam actuating sleeve 82 downwardly against the bias of spring 88. Further advancement of mating coupling element 112 will cause locking elements 80 to ride over the ridge-like portion of stem 118 located between shoulder 122 and groove 124 until the end of nose 120 sealingwise engages elastomeric washer 77. At this point groove 124 will register with locking elements 80 and the latter will be forced into the former by spring 88 acting through inclined camming surface 86 of sleeve 82. Quick-connect coupling now retentively engages mating coupler element 112 and prevents withdrawal of standpipe assembly 100 from canister 4. When standpipe 100 is fully inserted within adapter 42, the extreme end of collector tube 126 will be located within canister 4 close to the corner margin formed by the intersection of bottom wall 10 and side wall 6, while the lower terminal end of feed tube 132 will be located close to top wall 8.

To withdraw fluid from canister 4, a source of compressed gas such as a tank of pressurized air is connected to standpipe 100' at nipple 108 by means of a flexible air hose (not shown) or any other suitable conduit. The pressurized gas enters canister 4 through feed tube 132 and exerts a force on the upper surface of the fluid. This forces the fluid to rise in collector tube 126 and flow out of standpipe 100 through nipple 100. A suitable discharge conduit should be connected to nippe 110 so that the fluid will be conveyed to the desired location.

When the fluid in canister 4 is consumed, standpipe 100 is removed by pressing actuating sleeve 28 downwardly with one hand and simultaneously pulling on T-fitting 102 with the other hand. As sleeve 82 is moved downwardly, locking elements are forced out of groove 124 in coupler element 112, thereby freeing standpipe for withdrawal from canister 4. Then adapter 42 is threaded out of bung 16 and both it and standpipe 100 can subsequently be used for tapping another canister 4.

A number of canisters 4 can be connected in series by means of dispensing devices 2. In such a case, nipple 110 of one standpipe 100 is connected to nipple 108 of another standpipe 100, etc., with the source of compressed gas connected only to the nipple 108 of the standpipe 100 located on the canister first in the series. That canister will empty first with the others emptying in turn.

It is desirable to also use a quick-connect coupling on nipple 108 so that the hose connected to the source of compressed gas can be readily attached and detached from standpipe 100. This permits easy manipulation of standpipe 100.

Standpipe 100 can be inserted through adapter 42 while canister 4 is under pressure. This is possible because elastomeric O-ring seals 64 embrace the surface of collector tube 126 before blades 128 encounter and fracture diaphragm 30.

Inasmuch as canister 4 does not include any expensive components such as spigots it can be discarded when emptied. By the use of a plastic bung the weight of canister 4 is reduced to a minimum for shipping and storage purposes. The present dispensing device has been found particularly suitable for storage, transportation, and application of liquid and gelled fumigants.

Dispensing device 2 can also be used with an improved canister for storing fluids under high pressure, which also forms part of the present invention. The canister comprises a cylindrical shell terminating at each end in circumferential lips which extend radially outwardly from the shell and then axially in spaced relationship to the shell in a direction towards the opposite end. The canister is closed with inwardly curved end walls which terminate as inner wall sections, the outer surfaces of which are in contact with portions of the inner surface of the shell at the ends thereof. Outer Wall sections contiguous with the inner wall sections extend outwardly radially and then axially of the shell, the inner surfaces of which are in contact with the outer surfaces of the circumferental lips, which outer wall sections then turn over the ends of the circumferential lips in locking relationship therewith and extend within the space between the circumferential lips and the shell to form a fluid type relationship between the circumferential lips and the outer wall sections of the end walls.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, canister 150 includes a side wall 152 formed from sheet steel or other suitable metal which has been rolled into a cylindrical configuration and welded together in the formation of a longitudinally extending lineal seam 154. The circular ends of side wall 152 are contoured slightly inwardly and are then turned outwardly and back toward the inwardly contoured portion in the provision of upper and lower circumferential end lips 156, 158. Fitted across the ends of side wall 152 are top and bottom walls 160 and 162 respectively.

Top wall 160 includes an inwardly curved portion 164 which merges into an annular inner wall section 166 along a circular crease 168. Inner wall section 166 facewise abuts against the extreme end of the inwardly turned portion of side wall 152 and arcuately merges along its top margin into an annular outer wall section 170 which facewise abuts against the outwardly presented surface of end lip 156. Outer wall section 170 is struck inwardly and upwardly along its lower margin in the provision of an annular locking lip 172 which is interposed between end lip 156 and the inwardly contoured portion of side wall 152. Outer wall section 170, end lip 156, locking lip 172, the extreme end of the inwardly contoured portion of side wall 152, and inner wall section 166, are all rolled together under substantial force, thereby forming a five layer, fluid-tight seal between side wall 152 and top wall wall 160 (FIG. 7).

Inwardly curved portion 164 is centrally provided with a circular boss 174 having a laterally projecting annular lip 176, the inner margin of which defines an aperture 178.

Rigidly affixed to the inwardly presented surface of inwardly curved portion 164 by means of two circular rows of spot welds 173, one of which is located adjacent boss 174, is a reinforcing plate 180 which is contoured to conform with the shape of inwardly curved portion 164 for a substantial portion of its surface area. Reinforcing plate 180 projects beyond boss 174 in the formation of an inner lip 182 which is located in downwardly spaced relation to laterally projecting lip 176 on boss 174. The inner margin of lip 176 defines an aperture 184.

Fitted within apertures 178, 184, is a collar 186 having an outwardly projecting annular flange 188 which extends into the interior of boss 174 intermediate lips 176,

182. The aperture forming the circular margin of lip 182 engages the outer surface of collar 186 immediately below flange 188, while the undersurface of lip 176 abuts against the upwardly presented face of flange 188. Collar 186 is provided with a threaded bore or 'bunghole 190 which receives bung 16.

Bottom wall 162 also integrally includes an inwardly curved portion 192, an annular inner wall section 194, which is joined to inwardly curved portion 192 at a crease 196, an annular outer wall section 198, and an annular locking lip 200, which engages and interlocks with end lip 158 on side wall 152. Bottom wall 162 fits across the opposite end of side wall 152 in the manner previously described so that a fluid-tight seam is formed on canister 150.

When tap 40 is fitted into bung 16 and canister is internally pressurized, an outward axially directed force will be presented against both top and bottom Walls 160, 162, and this causes concave portions 164, 192, to flex slightly outwardly and exert substantiallly radial forces on side wall 152 along their respective creases 168, 196. These radially directed forces force inner wall sections 166, 194, into tighter abutment with the inwardly contoured ends of side wall 152. Furthermore, at the seams forming the junctures of side wall 152 and top and bottom walls 160, 162, five layers of metal are presented in embracing relation to one another, forming a juncture which is not only capable of withstanding distorting forces of extremely large magnitude, but also a seal which is highly resistant to leakage. Whereas the end seams of conventional canisters tend to unroll when the end walls associated with them are subjected to outwardly directed forces, this problem is not encountered with canister 150 because inwardly curved portions 164, 192,

when subjected to axial forces bear with greater intensity against side wall 152 along creases 168, 196, thereby resisting the tendency of inner wall sections 166, 194, to roll outwardly or the inwardly curved portions to distort into a convex configuration. The strength of top and bottom walls 160, 162, is thus dependent upon the compressive strength of the material, rather than upon the bending strength of the seam as is the case with conventional canisters having flat or convex end walls.

Aside from reinforcing inwardly curved portion 164 of top wall 160, lip 182 of reinforcing plate also prevents the side portion of boss 174 from rolling inwardly under flange 188 when canister 150 is subjected to elevated internal pressures. As inwardly curved portion 164 flexes slightly outwardly, the margin of lip 182 will bear with greater intensity against the outer surface of collar 186 below flange 188 and prevent inward movement of boss 174 under flange 188 and collar 186. Such movement occurs when conventional canisters are subjected to elevated pressures. Since reinforcing plate 180 is welded to inwardly curved portion 164 adjacent the latters juncture with boss 174, any tendency for boss 174 to roll in under flange 188 is still further retarded.

It has been experimentally determined that canister 150 can withstand over twice as much internal pressure as canisters constructed in accordance with conventional designs and procedures.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A canister for storing fluids under high pressure comprising:

(a) a cylindrical shell terminating at each end in a reduced diameter portion and a circumferential lip which extends outwardly radially from the shell portion of reduced diameter and then axially in spaced relationship to the said shell portion in a direction towards the opposite end of the shell,

(b) an inwardly curved end wall closing each end of said shell, each end wall terminating in a connecting portion comprising an axially outwardly extending circumferential inner wall, the outer surface of which is in contact with portions of the inner surface of the shell at the ends thereof and an outer wall contiguous with the said inner wall and extending outwardly radially and then axially inwardly of the shell, the inner surface of which is in contact with the outer surface of the circumferential lip, said outer wall extending radially inwardly over the ends of the circumferential lip in locking relationship therewith and an intermediate wall connected to the axially innermost end of said outer wall and extending within the space between the circumferential lip and the shell end portion to form a fluid type relationship between the circumferential lip and the outer wall section of the end wall connecting portion.

2. A canister according to claim 1 in which the inwardly curved end walls each terminate along a circumferential crease.

3. A canister for storing fluids under high pressure comprising:

(a) a cylindrical shell terminating at each end in a circumferential lip which extend outwardly radially from the shell and then axially in spaced relationship to the shell in a direction towards the opposite end of the shell,

(b) an inwardly curved end wall closing each end of said shell, each end wall terminating in a connecting portion comprising an axially outwardly extending circumferential inner wall, the outer surface of which is in contact with portions of the inner surface of the shell at the end thereof, and outer wall contiguous with the inner wall extending outwardly radially and then axially inwardly of the shell, the inner surface of which is in contact with the outer surface of the circumferential lip, said outer wall extending radially inwardly over the ends of the circumferential lip in locking relationship therewith and an intermediate wall connected to the axially innermost end of said outer wall and extending Within the space between the circumferential lip and the shell to form a fluid type relationship between the circumferential lip and the outer wall of the end wall connecting portion,

(c) a first aperture provided in one of the inwardly curved end walls,

(d) a reinforcing plate secured to the iiner face of the inwardly curved end wall containing the first aperture and circumferentially to the aperture of the wall, which reinforcing plate (i) is contoured to conform with the shape of the end wall along the inner surface thereof,

(ii) is provided with a second aperture in alignment with the first aperture,

(iii) the portion of the reinforcing plate disposed in surrounding relationship to the second aperture being in spaced relationship to the opposing portion of the end wall, and

(e) a collar fitted into the first and second apertures and into the space between the end wall and the reinforcing plate.

4. A canister according to claim 3 in which the inwardly curved end walls each terminate along a circumferential crease.

5. A canister according to claim 3 in which the portion of the collar which extends into the space between the end wall and the reinforcing plate is a flange which projects radially outwardly from the collar, the margin of the second aperture engaging the under surface of the collar flange.

6. A canister according to claim 5 in which the inwardly curved end wall which is provided with the first aperture is further provided with an axially outwardly extending boss which encircles the collar flange, said boss being provided with a radially inwardly extending lip which defines the first aperture, the inwardly extending lip engaging the upper surface of the collar flange.

7. A canister according to claim 6 in which the cylindrical shell terminates at each end in a reduced diameter portion from which the circumferential lips extend.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,341,638 6/1920 Gogay 22068 2,127,269 8/ 1938 Robinson 22063 2,238,102 4/1941 Eisinga 22063 2,244,341 6/1941 Maclean 22066 X 3,031,099 4/1962 Wiltshire 22063 X 3,132,761 5/1964 Sylvester 22063 X FOREIGN PATENTS 869,943 6/ 1961 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner J. R. GARRETT, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent x0. 3,512,676 Dated Mav 19 1970 Invent0 Joseph Carl Dawson. Jav B. Brown and Euel C. Prvor It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 4 and 5, "assignors to WSR, Inc. a corporation of North Carolina" should be deleted; line 60, "roller" should read --rolled-. Column 2, line 18, "is hung" should read is a bung-. Column 4, line 66, "nipple 100" should read --nipple l10--; line 67, "nippe" should read -nipple-; line 70, "28" should read --82--. Column 6, line 37, "substantiallly" should read -substantially--. Column 7, line 57, "a u d read ---an-. Column 8, line 10, "liner" should read --:Lnner--.

SIGNED Mn NOV. 17,1970

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